Nothing says ‘festive cheer’ quite like a luxury hamper brimming with treats, and this year’s bumper crop of offerings is more indulgent than ever. From traditional delights served up in a wicker basket to more whimsical offerings and organic, vegetarian alternatives, there’s a hamper keep every member of the family happy this festive season. Here’s our edit of the best luxury Christmas hampers for 2022 to suit all tastes and budgets.
£420
The undisputed grande dame when it comes to Christmas hampers, you can’t go wrong with Fortnum’s – even the late Queen gave it her seal of approval, with the department store the only place she ever went to do her Christmas shopping. New for this year is their Christmas Party at Piccadilly offering, which was inspired by their idea of the perfect festive knees-up. Inside you’ll find a selection of sweet treats and savoury delights – including Gin & Tonic roasted nuts, Champagne truffles and rose petal chutney – along with celebration-ready tipples guaranteed to start any party off with a bang.
£995
For an all-out Christmas hamper extravaganza, it has to be Claridges’ The Burlington. Bubbles come in the form of Laurent-Perrier, though if you prefer cocktails, there’s gin, of course, plus a pair of beautiful martini glasses, a cocktail shaker and Claridges’ famous cocktail recipe book. But it’s not all about drinking. You’ll find olives, nuts, biscuits, truffles galore, plus the hotel’s secret-recipe Christmas pudding which is exquisitely boxed and ribboned as if it were a jewel, while the Art Deco crackers will ensure any party goes with a stylish swing. For something a little more modest, opt for The Mews (£150), full of exclusive-to-Claridges products that are as perfect for afternoon tea as they are for after-dinner drinks.
£1,000
As the name might suggest, this is Selfridges’ most over-the-top hamper this year, stuffed full of an astonishing 55 items to indulge in. Highlights include a tin of platinum caviar, British royal fillet of smoked salmon, Colston Bassett Blue Stilton and a Dukeshill ham, as well as a nine-month matured Christmas cake and a festive gingerbread biscuit tin. You’ll also find a few bottles sure to get you in the Christmas spirit, from their own-label Champagne to mulled wine and a winter-inspired Glenmorangie whisky.
£195
There can be nothing more dreamy than the concept of being snowed in… A winter wonderland outside while you snuggle down in front of a roaring fire. Harvey Nichols’ Snowed In Hamper will only add to the romance. The hamper bills itself as “your grown-up sleepover kit” and it is just that. There’s a bottle of Premier Cru Champagne, plus a bottle each of Montagne Saint-Émilion and a Pouilly-Fumé; those who prefer a cup of something warm can choose from the deliciously rich I Should Cocoa Original Hot Chocolate, Christmas tea bags or coffee. No cosy night in would be complete without a selection of snacks and HN has you covered, from Chocolate and Amaretti Panettone and Salted Caramel Pecans to White Chocolate Truffles . Now all you need is snow…
£595
The North London deli, artisan bakery and gourmet grocery does a fantastic festive hamper and the 12 Days of Christmas iteration is the height of holiday luxury. Michael Gonet 3 Terroirs Champagne, six European wines and a bottle of small batch Negroni will get the party started. Serve your drinks with a smorgasbord of savoury nibbles including Secret Smokehouse smoked salmon, Cobble Lane-cured charcuterie, harissa spiced nuts, a festive cheese board and the most moreish truffle crisps you’ve ever tasted. The sweet-toothed are well catered for too. Dark chocolate Florentines, coffee dusted hazelnuts, sea salt caramels, candied chocolate ginger, a Christmas cake, mince pies with brandy butter… There’s even a selection of jams, marmalades and Melrose & Morgan coffee for Christmas morning. But the showstopper has to be the sourdough panettone, handmade in Trieste and supplied to only a select number of independent shops each year.
£100
Cheese is delicious all year round, but especially so at Christmas. Paxton & Whitfield – London’s legendary cheesemongers, who have been selling cheese for over 225 years and have held seven Royal Warrants – know this better than anyone, which explains why their best-selling Piccadilly hamper is so impressive. Within the smart black-and-gold embossed box you’ll find all the favourites. There’s a mellow, herby goat’s cheese from County Tipperary; a buttery Celtic Soft; a wax-coated Ceodre, which has been naturally smoked over oak chips; Paxton’s deliciously earthy Cave Aged Cheddar Pounder; and that festive staple, the Stilton jar. All of them best served on the sourdough crispbreads, Cornish buttermilk biscuits and cracked black pepper oatcakes provided, with a side of caramelised onion or apricot and cranberry chutney.
£250
While Yotam Ottolenghi might not be around to cater your Christmas feast himself, this hamper from the renowned deli is the next best thing. Festive nibbles are taken to the next level with grissini, brittles, nougat and granola fresh from the bakery, while your cooking will get some extra zing courtesy of their Earth and Zest spice collection, sherry vinegar and olive oil. To round it all off there’s a bottle of bubbly, essential for that first Christmas toast.
£140
They might be best known for their doorstep deliveries of organic and wild groceries, but Abel & Cole also produce excellent Christmas hampers, which pull together the best of their ethical produce into one smart package. Everything in this veggie hamper is organic, from the Godminster’s black truffle vintage cheddar, Cenarth brie and mini mince pies to the bottles of Davenport Limney Estate sparkling wine and Chateau Rochecolombe Cotes du Rhone. Cheers to that!
£210
If you’re looking to add some European flair to your festive food offerings, Provisions is the place to go – specialising in carefully selected artisan products from natural and organic providers, the wine and cheese importer has made a name for itself with its Islington and Hackney stores. Their Simply the Best hamper features smoked trout from Lisbon, camembert from Normandy and biscuits from Paris, as well as a selection of brilliant French wines.
£110
Never one to follow the pack, Liberty is known for eschewing the more traditional wicker basket in favour of smart suitcases for their Christmas hampers, usually covered in one of their famous archive fabrics. Their latest festive offering celebrates the 12 days of Christmas and is jam-packed with treats that will keep everyone merry, including marzipan brussels sprouts, Charbonnel & Walker truffles, cranberry and orange mince pies and a classic panettone with Christmas chutney.
£600
This delectable hamper from Daylesford would make a very welcome addition under the tree and ensure that your Christmas day gets off to a splendid start. Inside the chic white wicker basket, you’ll find all manner of treats, from salmon terrine and Gloucestershire ham from their organic farm to pears in calvados and Bledington blue cheese. What’s more, for every hamper sold they promise to dedicate a native tree sapling as part of their ongoing commitment to increase wild habitats and diversity.
From £185
Last year, Yorkshire chef Tommy Banks’s Christmas provisions box was a sell-out success, so we’re thrilled to see it’s back again for this festive season. Made with the hyper locally sourced ingredients he’s so famous for, you’ll find everything you need to create a truly knock-out charcuterie board, from chicken liver parfait with mulled hedgerow jelly and black garlic glazed ham to a selection of cheeses and chutneys. There are also a few unusual sweet treats in there, including root vegetable mince pies and chicory and lovage fudge.
£165
Proper London foodies all know about Panzer’s, the legendary Jewish food hall hidden away behind Regent’s Park. This year marks their 75th anniversary, and to celebrate they’ve launched a selection of decadent hampers. Our top pick is the Christmas Connoisseur, which comes with their famous smoked salmon, cheeses, chocolates and Nana Lily’s luxury Christmas fruit cake, all smartly packaged in one of their signature green gift boxes.
